Real Madrid and Brazil legend Ronaldo returns to the pitch... for a non-league side in Essex!

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Real Madrid and Barcelona legend Ronaldo made a surprise Sunday League appearance in Essex – only to be substituted for a poor display

Brazilian Ronaldo performs a rabona while playing in the Essex Sunday league as part of a Paddy Power stunt
Brazilian Ronaldo performs a rabona while playing in the Essex Sunday League (Image credit: Getty Images)

A Sunday league football team pulled off the ultimate surprise by producing none other than the Brazilian striker Ronaldo from their bench. Often hailed as the greatest player in the history of the sport, the now 47-year-old forward laced up his boots for Phoenix FC, a team who sit bottom of the NWL Division 8 in Essex.

Indeed, even though he hung up his boots 13 years ago, Ronaldo decided to temporarily come out of retirement to join what is considered 'one of the worst teams in England’. His appearance was a prize for the winning of a social media competition organised by betting firm Paddy Power.

With the club 4-0 down, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star made his entrance as a 'super-sub', wearing the No.17. Displaying a touch of Brazilian flair, R9 initiated play with a rabona pass. 

Brazilian Ronaldo appearing as a super sub in an Essex Sunday League game

Ronaldo subs on in the Essex Sunday League (Image credit: Paddy Power)

But even Ronaldo could not help the languishing team's fortunes. He was caught offside and seemingly preoccupied with his phone at one stage, before the superstar was promptly substituted back off the field by unimpressed Phoenix FC manager Brian Edwards.

Edwards said of Ronaldo’s display: "The lads couldn't believe it when Ronaldo showed up – I hadn't registered him, so I used the name 'Dave Walsh' and put him on the bench. Sadly, he was anything but a Super Sub. He was late by the time he got changed, and we were already well behind by the time I could put him on, but it's definitely a moment I'll remember forever. The rest of his performance? Less memorable."

Brazilian Ronaldo appearing as a super sub in an Essex Sunday League game and enjoys a class of orange juice after the game

The Brazilian legend found time for a post match orange juice in the club house afterwards (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ronaldo's antics in Essex were part of a scripted social media video released on Paddy Power's channels to launch their new betting feature: Super Sub. It transfers bets when a player is substituted off. 

A spokesperson for the betting firm said: "They say form is temporary, but having seen him in the flesh, Ronaldo's post-retirement form does now seem pretty permanent. It happens to us all, R9."

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Jacque Talbot
Jacque Talbot

Jacque Talbot is a freelance football journalist who predominantly specialises in transfer stories and exclusives. He began his career in 2016 covering the world-renowned Sandbach United, of North West Counties fame, before earning a spot on the sports desks of national papers, where he bounced between several outlets such as Sportbible, the Express, Mirror, and Daily Star. An NCTJ graduate of the News Associates who swapped investigative journalism in the Costa del Sol for football reporting in Northern England, he first wrote for FourFourTwo in December 2023.